Following straight on from the visit to Boreham Street in late August, members moved on to Wetherspoon’s George Hotel, to award the pub Cider / Perry Pub of the Year. This was the third successive year the pub had won the award, but unlike the previous years when it was decided by a straight vote at a branch meeting, this time a more rigorous procedure was used. This was devised by Branch Cider Co-Ordinator, Phil Packham, who introduced the CAMRA Cider PotY points system for judging and in addition organised a tour of the four shortlisted pubs. All credit to the George which ran out winner under the new system too, under the guidance of former manager Mitch Lowe. We were delighted that the NBSS evidence showed that under new manager Tom Curley the standard had been maintained, and it was he who is pictured with Phil and Branch Chair Peter receiving the award, as by the time of the presentation, he had taken over managing the pub.